13 tips for your walking holiday

You should consider the following things when planning your walking holiday

1. Make sure you check the details of the walking routes on the trip. On most of our trips, you can see the elevation profiles and lengths of the routes. That way you'll be prepared for what to expect on the trip. The altitude profile can be viewed both on the individual days in the daily programme and in the overall altitude profile under the daily programme. Walking tours are available in all levels of difficulty, so be sure to check this before booking. Some stages may seem very short, but remember that 8km in very hilly areas can easily be as hard as 20km in flat terrain.
    
2. Remember that a walking holiday is more than just walking. Consider what other things you want to experience during the trip. You will receive tips on this from us, but it is also a good idea to investigate the towns on the route yourself so that you have an overview of the many possibilities. 
    
3. Consider the climate of your desired destination. Most walkers prefer to go where it is neither too hot nor too cold and in southern Europe this will typically be in spring or late summer and autumn. Of course, if you like the heat, hiking in Southern Europe is also possible in the summer, but make sure you prepare so that you are protected from the sun as much as possible and have the option to bring plenty of water (water is important no matter when you hike).

When you are on a hiking trip, you should consider your clothing to suit the conditions. Your clothing should protect you from the weather, keep your body warm, wick moisture away from your body, while being lightweight and taking up as little space as possible. It is therefore useful to carefully consider your clothing according to the "onion principle", where the different layers of clothing are combined so that everything fits.

In general, there are three layers:

Layer 1 - is in contact with your skin. This layer keeps you dry by transporting sweat out and away from your body. Wear underwear made of wool, synthetic materials or a mixture of the two.

Layer 2 - should insulate while wicking moisture away from the body. Suitable materials include fleece, Polartec, Primaloft or down. You can also use windbreakers and softshells, as they are not completely waterproof.

Layer 3 - protects you from wind and rain. Suitable clothing is therefore either waterproofed or made of wind/rain resistant materials. This layer is typically the most expensive - especially if you want high quality clothing. All clothing in this layer should have membranes or zips that allow moisture to escape.

The important thing is that each layer meets the above criteria and it is a good idea not to compromise on parts of the garment. The world's best rain jacket doesn't matter if sweat can't escape from the inner layers.

Always try to find a good balance in your clothing selection.

Your hiking shoes/boots should meet your individual needs. We always recommend that you buy trekking shoes or hiking boots. Trekking shoes are more comfortable, but they are often not suitable for hiking, for example if there are several long stages. Proper hiking boots are often preferable, even if the stages are short. Regardless of the length of the stage, there may still be rocky sections. The best choice will therefore almost always be hiking boots that support the ankle.

Hiking boots support the foot, the ankle and have a firm sole. This provides good comfort even when walking on uneven and rocky terrain. The choice between Goretex or leather is a matter of taste. Goretex has better ventilation, whereas leather boots are usually more comfortable to wear for longer periods.

Always remember that new hiking shoes and boots benefit from being worn before your hiking trip. That way you're more likely to avoid blisters.

All shoes benefit from maintenance.

1. Remove the sole and dry your shoes by inserting a newspaper into them. Leather shoes/boots in particular should not be dried with an external heat source, such as a radiator or oven, as the leather will become stiff and break more easily.
2. Clean your shoes with a wet cloth or brush. If your shoes are very dirty, it is recommended to remove the laces before cleaning the shoe.
3. Water protection if you wear leather shoes/boots.
   Leather shoes can be made water-repellent with wax or silicone-based products. Note that leather shoes may darken in colour if wax is used. Alternatively, boots can be waterproofed (ask for this where you buy shoes/boots). Waterproofing is not as effective at making shoes/boots water-repellent as wax, for example.
   Do not use grease-based products on leather shoes, as this causes the leather to expand and prevents the shoe from "breathing".
4. Water protection if you have Goretex shoes/boots
   Waterproofing a Goretex shoe is mainly done to protect it from water and dirt. Use water-based spray for cleaning.

You should talk to your shoe retailer about the different shoes and materials. If you do not maintain your shoes/boots properly, it can shorten the life of the shoe considerably.

Walking poles are a matter of preference. Some find it nice and others see no need for them. We think walking poles are nice to walk with - especially on very uneven terrain. Telescopic poles can therefore be an important part of your hiking equipment, as they can protect your joints and provide stability.

The optimal height of walking poles differs from person to person. The rule of thumb is that the upper arm and forearm should make an angle of 90 degrees, with the upper arm pointing straight down.

Make the poles shorter if you are walking a long incline. This optimises the distribution of force. If it's a long descent, make the poles longer so you can walk with a straight back all the way down.

Walking poles should be telescopic poles, as it is important to be able to adjust the length of the poles to suit the terrain. Remember to make sure the poles are firmly attached when hiking, as a collapsing pole can be dangerous and cause injury.

Prevention

• When buying shoes, make sure that your shoes have about one centimetre of free space from your toes to the tip of the shoe/boot. Your feet stretch during a long hike. The shoe/boot should fit snugly around the heel
• It is important that your socks fit well. Modern hiking socks are a mix of wool and synthetic materials
• Once you've bought new shoes/boots, it's a good idea to start by taking some short walks in them. Some areas of the shoe will take longer to "walk in" than others, but if you wear the shoe often, it will break in. If you "steam" the shoes/boots a little before you put them on, you can shorten the process. Try to notice if there are places where your shoe presses on the foot and apply a blister plaster on those places already before the day's hike

Treatment
If the worst happens and you get a blister on your hiking trip, act quickly and follow these steps.

• Use a blister plaster as soon as you suspect you are about to get a blister. The sooner you react the better
• When you use an umbilical patch, make sure it is firmly attached. A belly patch that doesn't fit properly can actually make the situation worse
• Good hygiene is important when it comes to blisters. Make sure you always use clean blister plasters
• If you want to puncture a blister, use a disinfected needle and poke a small hole, then gently squeeze out the fluid
• Avoid tearing the skin off your blister as the open wound can easily become infected and heals very slowly

To adjust your backpack correctly, we recommend the following method (your backpack should be fully packed when adjusting):

Start by loosening all the tensioners

Put the backpack on your shoulders and fasten the hip belt. The middle part of the hip belt should rest on your hips and should not press on your stomach

Pull the shoulder straps until they are tight. Most of the weight should still rest on the hip belt

The chest strap helps to stabilize the shoulder straps. You buckle this last

 

Many backpacks have stabilising straps around the shoulders and chest. Use them to fine-tune your pack so that weight is evenly distributed.

Notice what feels right to you. Everyone is built differently and your bag should be adjusted to your body shape so that it fits comfortably for the whole trip. It's quite common to have to adjust your pack several times along the way.

Here are some tips for packing your backpack.

Make sure to place the majority of the weight as close to your body as possible

Heavy items such as water bottles should be packed close to your shoulders

Pack light items, such as your jacket, in the lower part of your Pack light items, such as your jacket, in the lower part of your backpack

Small items, such as your camera or flashlight, can be placed in the pocket at the top of your pack where you can easily reach them.

Plastic bags are a great way to keep your bag organised. Waterproof bags are a bit more expensive, but highly recommended.

Consider the route before packing. On even surfaces and wide trails, you can leave the centre of gravity higher in the rucksack. This way you are more flexible and hiking is more comfortable. On uneven and challenging terrain, we recommend that you place the centre of gravity low in the rucksack.

You may walk a little more hunched over this way, but the low centre of gravity provides stability and you'll find it easier to keep your balance.

Don't put your backpack in the washing machine, as the fabric can tear. Soap residue can also stick to the material after it has been in the machine and this can potentially cause an allergic reaction if you have sensitive skin.

Wash your backpack in a tub or bathtub with pH-neutral soap. Dirt can be scrubbed off with a brush. Pay particular attention to the zips, where dirt can easily collect.

Store the bag by fastening all straps and put it in a dry place.

In the mountains or near the sea, the weather can often change in a very short time and without warning. Keep an eye on the sky when hiking in alpine areas or near the coast. Especially if you are not familiar with the region you are hiking in.

Storms and cold fronts
Storms and cold fronts can be unpleasant in the mountains. As they are very difficult to predict, you should always bring gloves, a cap, a rain jacket and some warm clothes. Also in summer.

Check the weather forecast
Before each day's walk, check the day's weather forecast. Most weather forecasts are usually right on the money. If you're in any doubt about tomorrow's weather, ask the locals at your hotel. They are often very knowledgeable about the local weather and if there is anything you should be aware of.